A CHOIR is being recruited by one of the country’s leading opera singers to join him in a national television broadcast.

Graeme Danby and a group of singers will perform at the Great North Passion, a retelling of the last hours of Jesus, to be broadcast on BBC One on Good Friday.

In the lead-up to April 18, 12 shipping containers across the region will be turned into artworks representing a Station of the Cross, then joined together in Bents Park, South Shields, to form a cross-shaped installation.

Graeme, a visiting professor of music at the University of Sunderland, is working with St Andrew’s Church in Roker as part of the BBC and Cultural Spring project.

Graeme, who will work alongside Durham composer Will Todd on a new piece of music for the event, said: “It’s hugely exciting, and also quite terrifying.

“I can assure my choristers – and anyone else who’d like to join us – that we’re going to have some fun.”

The Rev Dick Bradshaw, vicar at St Andrew’s, added: “Our church has been described as the Cathedral of the Arts because of its links to the arts and crafts movement, so we’re delighted to be involved with the Cultural Spring and the Great North Passion.”

Other venues with containers include Sunderland Minster; St Bede’s Community Association in Town End Farm; St Cuthbert’s, Red House; Souter Lighthouse in Whitburn and Boldon Comprehensive.

The next rehearsal for the choir will be at the church hall in Talbot Road on Thursday at 3pm, with all welcome.